Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 783,646. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. v. E. PETERSON.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR APPLICATION EILEE JUNE 4, 1903.

5 SHEIETiS-Sl? E ei; j ii nuanfo'c No. 783,646. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. V. B. PETERSON.

AOETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1902:.

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511 uenfoc k w yam No. 783,646. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

Y V. E" PETERSON.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4. 190a.

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i r llll l llllllllllllllllll 1% in cases 'mwwi grk'" PATENTED FEB. 28 1905 V. E. PETERSON. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 4., 1903.

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PATENIED FEB. 28, 1905.

V. E. PETERSON.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1903.

Patented February 28, 3.905..

PATENT FFICE.

VICTOR E. PELERSON, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AQlETYLENEI GA GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. /83,646, dated February 28, 1905,

Application iiled June 4, 1903. Serial No. 160,071..

To It whmrt lib 'ntrty concern..-

Be it known that I, VIe'ror. E. Pnrrnnson, a citizen of the United States, residing at l)enver, in the county of Denver and State of (lolorado. have in vented new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-(alas Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to acetylene-gas machines; and the objects of the same are to provide a simple and effective apparatus having particular means for controlling the supply of water to the generator by movement of the bell of the storage-tank or gasometer; to have the water-supply carried by the gasome ter in the form of an annular chamber without impairing the utility of the said gasometer and dispensing with the usual water-supply connection, and thus adapting the machine for use in localities where water-service piping is absent and also equipping the machine with complete means for efliciently carrying on the generation of gas regularly and propertionately to the quantity consumed, and thereby maintain a constant supply of gas; to provide, in connection wi th the tank or gasometer, means for purifying the gas and also for cooling the same before it is relieved from the said tank or gasometer through the service-pipe or conduit; to have means, in connection with the generator, for conveniently introducing carbid charges and to fully utilize the carbid without the least waste by a particular application of Water thereto and also to cool the gas produced in the generator or maintain the latter at such temperature that the gas will not become in the least deteriorated from overheating, with a resultant purer or whiter light when the gas is consumed; to avoid too rapid production of the gas in the generator and to guard against a possible overpressure greater than a maximum in the generator and a flow-back or back pressure of the gas from the gasometer into the generator, and to provide a gas-machine having an organization of elements conjointly operating and contributing to the successful production of gas from metallic carbids or other analogous substances and wherein the several operating parts are sensitive and reliable in performing their functions to meet the several contingencies encountered in gas production and the maintenance of an invariable pressn re in the gasometer.

lVith these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of? a gas-machine embodying the features of theinventimi. Fig. 2 is a transversevertical section through both the generator and gasometer, the bell being shown as depressed within the tank of the gasometer. Fig. I.) is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. a is a transverse vertical section of the gasometcr, taken in a plane at an angle diflerent from that shown by Fig. 2 and illustrating the generator in elevation. Fig. 5 a transverse vertical section through the gasometer on the line 5 5, Fig. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of the machine, taken in the plane of the line 6 6, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of the machine, taken in the plane 01'' the line 7 7, Fig. 52. Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section on the line 8 8, Fig. 3, showing the internal arrangement of the generator. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section on the line 9 9, Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective View of the carbid-receiver, forming a part of the generator. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective View oi one of the carbid charges or cartridges. Fig. 1.2 is a detail perspective View oi a removable bottom forming part of each carbid charge or cartridge.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

All the parts of the improved machine are constructed of galvanized sheet-iron or other metal adapted for the purpose, and, referring to the drawings by reference-mimerals, 1 designates the gasometer, having a bell 2, and 3 the generator. The hell 2 hasapertu red arms i, engaging uprights or guide rods t" to steady its movement, and within the gasometer body or tank water is disposed at a suitable level to form a seal for the bell, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Surrounding the upper edge of the gasometer.-

tank is an annular water-chamber 5, having an outlet connection 6, to which one end of a flexible conduit or pipe 7 is attached and provided with a cut-off valve 8. The opposite end of'the conduit or pipe 7 is secured to the inner extremity of a tilting feed-pipe 9, having a nozzle'lO. I The pipe 9 is pivotally attached to a bracket 11, secured to the upper portion of the gasometer-tank. The feed-pipe 9 is attached to the bracket 11 at a distance outwardly from its inner end, and to the latter a weight 12 is secured and is so 'proportioned'as to size in relation to the feed-pipe 9 that it will just overcome the weight of said feed-pipe and raise the latter when free to do so. The feed-pipe 9 is of such length that when it is elevated the nozzle will be above the top level of the water in the chamber 5, and hence outflow of the Water from the said chamber will be prevented. There are no valves, glands, gaskets, or stuifing-boxesused in connection with the feed-pipe or other parts of the machine, and hence leakage, due to wear from constant use, is avoided and the expense of construction materially reduced. Furthermore, there is no strain on the flexible conduit or pipe 7, and the life of the improved outflow means, including the pipes 7 and 9, will be materially increased, and the necessity for repair, if occurring at all, will only be at long intervals. This outlet mechanism also is exceptionally sensitive in its operation, and the wateris caused to flow through the pipe 9 and nozzle 10 when said pipe is depressed below the level of the water in the chamber 5. The depression of the pipe 9 is efiected by a depending arm 13, secured to the top of the bell 2, and has a terminal fork or yoke 14, which engages over the pipe 9 when the bell descends. The arm 13 and pipe 9 are in such position in relation to each other that said pipe will always be engaged by the arm with certainty when the bell descends, and when the pipe 9 is in condition to permit the water to flow outwardly therefrom it will enter a portion of the generator, which will be more fully hereinafter explained.

Rising through the center of the gasometertank is a hollow or tubular standard 15, having a blow-off pipe 16 secured thereto and extending outwardly in a horizontal plane through the said tank to the atmosphere. Depending from the bell is a safety-tube 17, which loosely moves over the upper portion of the tubular upright 15. The purpose of this construction is to relieve the gasometer of an excess of gas, and in the event that the bell is raised to its full limit it will be prevented from being blown out of the gasometer-tank through the relief afiorded for the excess of gas through the standard 15. The

tube 17 has holes 17 therein at a distance above the lower end, and the length of the safety-tube 17 to the holes is considerably less than the length of the bell, and hence the latter will be in practical engagement with the gasometer-tank when the holes are adjacent to the upper open end of the standard 15. The excess gas escaping from the gasometertank through the standard passes out to the atmosphere through the blow-off pipe 16. Within the gasometer-tank, to one side of the center of the latter, is a vertically-disposed cylindrical purifying-chamber 18, having its upper open end at such an elevation as to be above the water-level in the said tank. This purifying-chamber does not have communication with the tank below the upper open end thereof, and therein a quantity of water is disposed, into which extends the upper outlet extremity or crook 19 of a gas-supply pipe 20, running from the generator 3 and supplied with a three-way cut-0d .valve 21. When this valve is closed to the gasometer or storage medium, it is open to the atmosphere. The gas passing from the generator through the pipe 20 into the purifying-chamber 18 becomes thoroughly relieved of all impurities by being forced through the water in said purifying chamber and then passes out through the top of the latter into the upper part of the gasometer. Successive charges of gas entering the gasometer elevate the bell 2, as in ordinary gas-machines of this class, and instead of letting the gas discharge from the gasometer without further treatment after it has passed through the purifying-chamber it also passes into a cooling or condensing chamber 22, having an upper closed end 23 and perforations or apertures 24 adjacent to said end, through which the gas passes into said cooling-chamber. The upper end of the cooling-chamber 22 is above the highest avaterlevel of the gasometer-tank, and said chamber is fully open throughout its length, but has no other communication with the interior of the tank than that specified. This coolingchamber is completely surrounded by the water within the gasometer-tank and maintained at a low temperature, and the gas passing thereinto becomes cooled and escapes therefrom in a condition for use through the medium of a service-pipe 23, connected to said chamber 22 and having a cut-off valve 2 1 for shutting off the gas-supply from the gasometer at any time desired and found necessary. Connected to the service-pipe is a depending drip-pipe 25, which has an outlet connected to a drip-tank hereinafter referred to.

The generator 3 comprises an upright tank 26, having a closed bottom and open top, and in the lower portion thereof is a closed driptank 27, with which the pipe 25 connects. As before stated, the drip-pipe 25 may extend away from the gasometer any suitable distance; but it is obvious that it is more practical to deposit the drip residuum in some part of the machine, and hence said pipe 25 is connected with the lower portion of the tank 27, the latter receiving and retaining the drip.

I /sat re The drip-tank 27 is almost fully tilled with "z ter,and to maintain the necessary supply of water in the tank a pipe 28 is secured. to the lower portion thereof and has an upper entrance tunnel 29 above the highest level of the water in said tank. The drip tank will also be provided with an overflow-pipe 27, as shown by Fig. 2 in dotted lines, so that as the drip collects or deposits over a certain level it dis charges into a pail or other device. It will be understood that the drip-pipe 25 is an auxiliary means of receiving the drip from the gas after the latter has entered the coolingoreondensing chamber 22 and serves to insure a dry condition of the gas after leaving the gasometer. l.heconncction of the pipe 25 with the tank 27 obviates the use of a long system of piping to carry the drip away from the machine and also a sloppy condition adjacent to the machine, which would result it the drip was permitted to run out through a short length of delivery-pipe. The drip-tank 27. having watertherein, also serves a still further and more important purpose, and that is to take up or obstruct the escape of gas from the service-pipe that might pass downwardly through the drip-pipe 25, and it will be seen that the water in the tank 27 forms a seal which completely overcomes any tendency for the gas from the service-pipe V to become lost or wasted by passing downwardly through the dri p-pipe Connected to the upper portion of the drip-tank above the water-level is a blow-oil? branch pipe 30, which communicates with the tubular standard 15 in the gasometer, this blow-off connection 50 serving to relieve the generator in a manner which will be presently explained. .l)isposed within the generator is a carbid'rcceiver 31, comprising.

a series of vertical cylindrical chambers 32, 33, 3st, 35, 36, 37, and 38, rising from a bottom or supporting plate 39. The upper ends of the several cylinders are fully open; but each cylinder is imlepernlent structurally, and the several cylinders are incommunicative except at their upper extremities, where they are connected by short pipe lengths 4L0. cylimlers 352 and 37 are connected to each other in order to cause a regular circulation through the several cylinders, the said circulation starting either at-the cylinder 32 or cylinder 37. The pipe lengths 4.0 terminate 'llush with the inner surfaces of the several cylinders, and the water flowing from one cylinder into the other throughout the whole series is caused to fall over the adjacent inner surface of each to the bottom and gradually rise, for a purpose which will presently appear. These cylinders receive carbid charges, and thereovcr is suspended a cap 41, which extendsdownwardly close to the periphery of the plate 39. The cap ll is held suspended The.

the tank 26. The rod 4:2 is easily withdrawable and insertible, and by this means the said cap is held in proper relation to the upper ends 01 the several cylimlers comprised in the carbid-receiver. This rod also serves particularly to prevent said cap from being forced out ol place when generation starts. which causes the pressure necessary to force gas through pipes. The gas after passing out from the several cylinders of the carbidreceiver is conveyed away from the inclosure through the pipe 20, which has a 'ertieal inlet member 4st extending upwardly into the in-- closure between the cap 1 1 and the cylinders of the receiver 31, as clearly shown by Fig. 8, and UOI'lllGOtQLl to this pipe 20 within the generator a drip-pipe 415, which projects through and' downwardly into the drip-tank 27110 relieve the gas of water of condensation and other (.ll'l1)])ll'lgS as it passes out from the generator. v

It is a very dil'licult matter to maintain devices for receiving carbid in a cleanly condition, and it residuum is peri'nitted to aggregate in the receivers it will materially atlcct the practical generation of the gas. To overcome this di'liiculty, the presentgenerator contemplates the use of charges or cartridges for receiving the carhid. each charger or cartridge consisting of a cylinder td open at opposite ends and both ends supplied with projecting legs eLY. Each charger or cartridge also has a removable bottom -.l8, which is held in applied position by turn-catches as, which are adjusted inwardly thereagains't to sustain the carbid within the charger. Two of the chargers or cartridges are inserted in each ol the cylinders of the receiver, the feet at one end of one charger resting on the bottom of each cylinder and the feet ol the other cylinder on the top portion ol the lower charger or airtridge to institute a space between the two chargers and also between the bottom ol. each cylinder and the lower charger to per lnit the water to freely l'low into contact with the carbid, which is placed within the chargers or cartridges. The object of supplying each charger with feet at the opposite ends is to adapt the same to be reversed and avoid the inco1wenience arising from a precise disposition when inserting the several charges in place in the cylinders. A material advantage arises from the use of the chargers not only in placing the carbid in bulk in the several. cylinders of the receiver, but also in cleaning the carbid-hohling means, as it will be perceived that the bottoms ib may be readily removed from the chargers and the latter rendered convenient in performing a cleansing operation in connection with the same. Another advantage in the use of the improved .lForm ol chargers or cartridges is that in the event that any one or more of the same become impaired or worn out they can be readily replaced by similar derlces without all'ectn'ig the receiver, and thus reduce the cost of maintenance of the machine in practical working order. The cap 41 has an upwardly-projecting hood 19 formed in the top thereof at a point intermediate of the cylinders 32 and 37 of the receiver 31, and extending through the tank 26 is a water-suppl y pipe 50, having one vertical branch 51 projecting upwardly between the said cylinders 32 and 37 and provided with a swiveled nozzle or spout 52 at the upper end, which may be turned over the top of either of said cylinders. A second vertical branch 53 of the water-supply pipe 50 is located exteriorly of the generator and rises above the top of the same and terminates in a funnel 5a, which is located under the water-feed pipe 9, heretofore described, as clearly shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The top of the cap also has a vent chamber or tube 55 extending therethrough and dependingbetween one pair of the cylinders comprised in the receiver 31 to near the bottom of the cap 41, as clearly shown by Fig. 9, the said pipe or tube 55 rising above the top of the cap and having an upper closed end and a lower fully-open end. Connecting with the upper portion of the drip-tank 27, above the maximum water-level in the latter, is the lower end of an escape-pipe 56, which extends upwardly through the pipe or tube 55 to near the upper closed end of the latter, and in the said pipe or tube 55 at a suitable point an escape-opening or series of openings 57 are located. The tank 26 is lilled to a suitable level with water, which closes around and between the several cylinders comprised in the receiver 31, the maximum level of the said water in the generator being a little below the upper open end of the inlet member 4 10f the pipe 20, but considerably above the lower open end of the pipe or tube 55. In the event that gas becomes backed up in the generator and institutes an excessive'pressure on the water therein injury to the parts of the generator will be avoided by reason of the fact that the excessive gas-pressure will force the water down or compress it until the escapeopening 57 is reached, when such excessive pressure will immediately be reduced by the gas passing into the tube or pipe 55 and from the latter through the pipe 56 into the upper part of the dri p-tank 27 and thence out through the blow-off pipe 30 to the tubular upright or standard 15 and escape to the atmosphere through the pipe 16. It will also be understood that it would be difiicult'to withdraw the cap ll from the generator, in view of the water-suction, and to break this suctional resistance the three-way valve 21 is turned to shut off communication between the generator forth the cap is drawn upwardly, and air is simultaneously drawn through pipes 16 and 30 and the three-way valve 21 to relieve the suction on the cap and permit the latter to be readily elevated and withdrawn from the generator. It will be observed that the entire machine is constructed in such a manner that the parts may be readily assembled or disassociated without requiring the detachment or disconnection of pipes or other communicating devices, and this is particularly true in the generator, which needs more attention than the gasometer and its parts. For this reason the pipe or tube 55 is projected above the top of the cap 4:1, and, furthermore, for the same reason the pipe 50 has its vertical branch 51 passing into the generator below the lower edge of the cap and its upper end projected into the dome 19". The introduction of water into the generator not only serves to form a seal to operate in conjunction with the carbid-receiver 31 and the cap 41 to prevent the escape of gas as generated, but also has the very important function of cooling the several receivers and preventing the generation of excessive heat, which deteriorates the quality of gas produced through a chemical reaction resulting from such excessive heat, and consequently the prevention of this overheat or caloric results in the manufacture of a better quality of gas, which in its consumption gives a purer or whiter light or a light in which slight discolorations are absent. 3

In the preparation of the machine for producing gas the tank of the gasometer is supplied with a suitable quantity of water, as wellas the purifying-chamber therein. Likewise the chamber or tank 5 is filled with wa ter by pouring it thereinto, and the different parts of the generator are also similarly. prepared after the carbid receiver has been charged and placed in position with the cap 11 thereover. 1n the initialoperation the feed-pipe 9 is drawn downwardly to permit water to flow therethrough from the chamber or tank 5 into the funnel 54: and from the latter through the branches of the pipe 50 and nozzle 52 into one of the cylinders 32 of the carbid-receiver. If the water first flows into the cylinder 32 from the nozzle 52, it will gradually lill the said cylinder and pass from the same into the cylinder 33, and so on throughout the whole series of cylinders. The water coming in contact with the carbid contained in the chargers or cartridges in the several cylinders generates gas, as will be understood, which passes upwardly into the space above the water seal in the generator surrounding the carbid-receiver and inclosed, in conjunction with said water, by the jacket 4.1. From this space the gas passes out through the branch member 1 1 of the pipe 20 into the purifying-chamber 18 and from the latter escapes into the gasometer, above the water in the latter, and elevates the hell 2. The gas feeds out from the gasometer through IIO veaeac the cooling-chamber 22, as before explained, and is conducted away from the machine any suitable distance by the service-pipe 23. This operation becomes successive, and the charge of gas in the gasometer is regularly maintained proportionately to the capacity of the machine, and every time the gas becomeslow and the bell descends far enough for the arm 13 to come into engagement with the waterieed pipe 9 the latter will be lowered and replenish the generator with water and immediately produce another charge of gas, and so on until the carbid carried by the chargers or cartridges becomes exhausted or dcvitalized. iVhen the carbid becomes exhausted, the chargers or cartridges are withdrawn in the manner heretofore explained and relilled and again placed in the receiver without removing the latter from the generator or requiring a disconnection of any of the parts other than the cap il.

The purifying or washing chamber 18 is provided with a pipe 18. leading to the outside and having a funnel 18", by which the wateris introduced into the chamber and the water-level in the washer is determined, and also provided with a 'i'aucet 18 for drawing off the dirty water. The particular advantage in the use of an annular water-supply tank 5 is to feed from as near a constant water-level as possible. it will also be understood that as many receivers and chargers or cartridges as desired may be used.

The improved machine being devoid of valves usually employed, as well as gaskets, stufiing-boxes, and fragile intricate meehanism is less liable to become impaired in the least in the operation thereof. Furthermore, the use of an automatic water-seal drip is e.- sentially important.

When the receivers are placed in tank 26, water is poured therein in suiiicient quantity to fill said tank and immerse said receivers in water to within one inch of their tops or upper open ends. The cap 1-1 is then placed in position in such manner and has such construction as to force water over the top of the cap. By such arrangement and operation water is not only around each receiverseparately, but also over the cap.

A further advantage resides in the use of a plurality of chargers or cartridges, which. prevent overheating in generation and continuous al ter-generation when lights are shut oii. Moreover, there is no waste of gas, as the machine never reaches the blow-oil? point.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Ina device of the character described, the combination with a generator having a waterinlet, of a gasometer having a bell therein and provided with a water-reservoir on the exterior thereof, said reservoir having an outlet, at tilting feed-pipe eccentricall y pivoted in juxtaposition to said reservoir and provided upon its longer arm with a discharge-nozzle, means connected to the shorter arm oi said leed-pipe to normally hold the same in an inclined position with its nozzle disposed above the level of the water in the tank, a flexible pipe connecting the shorter arm of said pipe with the outlet of the reservoir, and means upon the bell of the gasometer to engage the longer arm oi said Feed-pipe and, hold the said pipe downward when the bell is in lowered position to adapt the same to feed water to the said water-inlet ot' the generator, substantially as described.

2. .In a device of the class set forth, the combination oi a gasometer having a bell therein, and a water-chmnber on the exterior thereof, an automatieally-operating outlet means connected to said chamber, an actuating device for the said outlet means carried by the bell, said device being normally out 01'' contact with the outlet means and adapted to engage said outlet means when the bell is in lowered po'- sition, a generator having a closed bottom and an open top, a carbid-receiver therein, a bell cooperating with said carbid-reeeiver to form a generating-chainber. a water-feed pipe extend i ng upward into said generating-chainber to supply water to said carbid-receiver, a water-conductor connected with the gei'lerator and adapted to be supplied by said automatically-opcrating outlet means, a closed driptank in the generator belowthe said generating-chamber, and havingadrip-pipe l romthe gasometer communicating therewith, a gaspipe communicating with the upper part of the dri p-tank and upper portion of the generating-chamber, and an escape-pipe connecting the generating=chamber with the drip-tank, substantially as described.

3. 1n adevice of the class set forth, the combination with a gasometer, of a generator connected thereto and having a closed bottom and an open top, a bell therein, a closed drip-tank located in the lower portion of the generator and having a drip-pipe from the gasometer communicating therewith, a gas-pipe communicating with the upper part of the driptank and the upper portion of the generator, an escape-pipe projecting upwardly through the generator and connecting with the top of the drip-tank, a water-supplying device For the generator, and a carbid-holding means disposed over the driptank.

l. in a device of the class set forth, the combination with a gasometer, of a generator connected thereto, a closed drip-tank located in the lower portion of the generator and having a drip-pipe from the gasometercommunicating therewith, a carbid-receiver disposed over the driptank, a bell movably mounted over the carbid-receiver, a gas-pipe communieating with the upper partot the bell and the upper portion of the dri rtank, an escapepipe projecting upwardly through the generator and connecting with the top oi the drip- V removably inserted in said chambers and held tank, and a water-supplying device for the I generator.

5. In a device of the class set forth, the combination with a gasometer, of a generator connected thereto and having a carbid-receiver therein provided with a series of independent chambers open at their upper ends and connected by tubing, and pairs of carbidchargers spaced apart from each other at their contiguous ends, said carbid-chargers having independent removable bottoms, and means for independently securing the said removable bottoms to the several carbid-chargers. 6. In a device of the class set forth, the combination with a gasometer, of a generator connected thereto and having a carbid-receiver therein provided with aseries of independent chambers open at their upper ends and connected by tubing, pairs of reversible carbidchargers removably inserted in the chambers and having independent removable closures loosely disposed in and applicable to either end of each charger, and means for independently securing the said removable closures.

7. In a device of the character described, the I combination with a gasometer, of a generator communicating therewith and provided with a carbid-receiver having a series of chambers,

and means for prod ucinga circulation of water in either direction through the series of chambers.

8. In a device of the class set forth, the combination with a gasometer, of a generator connected therewith and having a group or series of independent carbid receiving chambers, said chambers being open at their upper ends and connected between the terminal chambers of the series by tubing, the said terminal chambers being free from communication with each other and being adapted for interchangeable use as receiving and discharge chambers to produce a circulation of water in either direction throughout the series, and a watersupply pipe disposed in proximity to said terminal chambers and having a nozzle movable to discharge into either terminal chamber, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VICTOR E. PETERSON.

\Vitnesses:

J. R. NEWTON, M. \V. BURG. 

